Explore every episode of the podcast My Food Lens
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| #102- 3 Powerful Ways to Bounce Back from a creative block without sabotaging your self-esteem | 11 Sep 2024 | 00:19:37 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. This week on the podcast, I’m sharing 3 powerful ways to bounce back when you’re not loving your work. I share ways to shift your focus, your energy and your photography efforts when you’re feeling stuck or blocked. Some of the ways might feel counterintuitive but are highly effective. I share how to look at your work when you’re not loving it, what action to take with creations that are not up to your expectations, how to work smarter to actually start seeing improvements in your photography skills, how to get clarity and keep your creative energy flowing. Look at photographers who’ve been in the industry for over a decade and are still going strong. What do you think is their secret? Truth is, there is no Creative who is spared from low phases, from feeling discouraged, having self-doubt, and not liking what they create. Even the photographers who’ve been in the game long enough have experienced these phases. The only difference is that when they begin to feel the low point, they know how to address it. We can’t run away but we can definitely empower and prepare ourselves to deal with such phases to limit that spiral feeling, and come out of it stronger. And with time such blocks, or phases become easier to navigate through. Always remember that our mindset and actions can block creativity and growth. Creativity thrives in a light, nimble space, not one filled with self-criticism or pressure. Tune in to learn three ways to bounce back & continue creating beautiful work without sabotaging your creativity or self-esteem. Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available athttps://www.myfoodlens.com/blog/102-3-powerful-ways-to-bounce-back-from-a-creative-block-without-sabotaging-your-self-esteem | |||
| #101 - How to create a photography portfolio that grows your business with Lucia Marecak - part 1 | 29 Aug 2024 | 00:50:32 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Our portfolio is a reflection of our skill, style, and aspiration as a photographer. So, the portfolio must be built with intention and strategy. The work in our portfolio must be cherry-picked and chosen strategically. It is the intention and strategy that brings results. Knowing how to create photos for a portfolio efficiently and effectively is essential for reaching more clients and increasing your chance of success with every outreach. If you haven't seen much success in your client outreach or closing deals with brands, it might be time to look at your portfolio, how you’re sharing it, what you’re sharing, and what your website represents.
Lucia shares everything from the kind of photos to include in a portfolio, the style of photography to follow, how to organize photos that work well for clients, how to create an SEO searchable online portfolio, the different ways to share your portfolio with clients, how to leverage social media to showcase your work, negotiate better rates, etc. Whether you already have a photography portfolio or are creating one, this conversation with Lucia is absolute gold. Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available at https://www.myfoodlens.com/blog/101-how-to-create-a-photography-portfolio-that-grows-your-business-with-lucia-marecak-part-1 | |||
| #92 - How to partner with brands for sponsored content with M. Aimee Tan - part 1 | 24 Apr 2024 | 00:47:47 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. This week on the podcast, M. Aimee Tan, a professional food and beverage photographer, food stylist, creative director, recipe developer, and content creator based in Canada, reveals everything you need to know about creating sponsored posts for brands. Aimee works with local, and global clientele as well as PR & marketing agencies. In this episode, she discusses how to get started with brand partnerships for social media content, how to pitch, the eligibility to approach brands, ways to position your value and offer a range of services under the realm of sponsored posts, and whether a large social media following and a media kit is needed.
Which means there is so much potential for us to add sponsored posts as a service to our businesses as a way to widen our client base and diversify our revenue streams. Don’t let myths and misconceptions hold you back from partnering with brands of your choice and portraying their products in your unique style. Whether you’re in Asia or Europe or anywhere else in the world, remember that we live in a global world & digitalization has dissolved boundaries.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/92-how-to-partner-with-brands-for-sponsored-content-with-m-aimee-part-1/
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| #4 - Beat the slump - Positive mantras to increase productivity - part 1 | 06 Oct 2021 | 00:20:24 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. It’s Monday morning. You wake up at 6am. You go for a walk by the river and come back refreshed. You sit down to work. You already have your tasks mapped out for the day. You begin. It’s been an hour & you’re killing it, striking off tasks from your list.
And then you take a break for a few mins. You casually open Instagram. You’re scrolling and see a photo with 2000 likes. You feel sad, jealous, angry. Ughh! You continue scrolling, scrolling and suddenly it’s been an hour. Not just any hour. Your most productive hour - The hour that was meant for you to strike off more tasks from your list, was spend scrolling through Instagram, and it didn’t even leave you feeling positive.
If this has ever happened to you, this episode of the podcast is for you. In this episode, I’m sharing simple but powerful mantras that I’ve gathered from different experiences over the years. These mantras have helped me break through bouts of slump and bounce back from phases of unproductivity. Whether it is about having a positive experience on Instagram or finishing off a photoshoot with more & better photos, this episode is for you. This is Part 1 of a 2-part topic. Part 2 comes next week. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/4-beat-the-slump-positive-mantras-to-increase-productivity-part-1/ | |||
| #3 - 5 Business skills to work with clients | 17 Sep 2021 | 00:22:07 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. If I asked what skills you need to be able to work with brands, the obvious answer would be, technical skills. If we are photographers, we need to have a good grip on photography. If we are recipe creators, we need to have a solid understanding of flavors & cooking technique, and so forth. But even with the best technical skills, why do creatives struggle to find clients? Why is it so hard to have brands engage the same creatives for their services over and over again? As someone who has never worked with a client only once, always had returning clients, & worked on annual & long-term contracts, I’m sharing the top 5 business skills that have guided me in building trusting and long-lasting relationships with clients and I can assure you, it is not what you think. This episode gives powerful insights on how to build relationships that make clients want to work with you and only you! Be the creative clients love to work with! So, if you want to start working with clients or would like to build a long-lasting working relationship with clients, here’s a POW packed episode for you.
Read more about Dyutima at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Download the free photoshoot guide https://crafty-author-336.ck.page/3ae5b6cf6f
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| #2 - The magic of light in food photography | 16 Sep 2021 | 00:28:52 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. So, you’re taking a photo of food and it just doesn’t look right. You wonder what’s missing? You know something’s not working but can’t put a finger on it. Light is the backbone of a good food photo. Today when social media is flooded with a million food photos, where everyone is trying to create one magnificent composition after another, sometimes the most fundamental aspect of a photo, is overlooked. A good photo does not need to be elaborate in composition, but a good photo must always have good lighting. In this episode of the podcast, I bring back the attention to the importance of lighting in photography & the power of being able to harness light to create any mood, emotion, or story. We also talk about the different types of light, where they fit in visual storytelling, limited access to light if you have a full-time job, and how it can be maximized. Whether you are or not into artificial light, this episode suggests ways to reduce the overwhelm around artificial light & guides how to select the right kind of light to match your photography style.
Read more at https://myfoodlens.com Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ | |||
| My Food Lens Podcast Trailer | 15 Sep 2021 | 00:03:32 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. My Food Lens Podcast Trailer Follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ | |||
| #1 - Introduction to My Food Lens Podcast | 15 Sep 2021 | 00:10:01 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. In this episode, I introduce the podcast with a background of myself, who the podcast is for, what it’s about, the topics we’ll talk about over the episodes, the frequency, tone and what you can expect from this podcast.
Read more about Dyutima at https://myfoodlens.com Follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ | |||
| #91 - How to create captivating food videos and monetize your content with Eva Kosmas Flores - Part 2 | 17 Apr 2024 | 00:42:04 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Most photographers start a full-time or part-time business with passion and enthusiasm. But over time, when the rubber hits the road, they begin to run out of steam because they hit a roadblock - How to grow the business and make more $$ every month? How to scale the business, a natural progression? Where to go from here, what’s next? Staying in business, any business, not just photography, is a challenge. Building a sustainable business requires us to stay on top of market demands, continuously reinvent ourselves, and get smart about how we run the business so we don’t burn out. One of the ways food photographers can continue to do all of the above and stay in business is by adding a service for their clients - a service that is in hot demand and will only continue to get more attention in the future. It is the service of creating food videos. In this week’s podcast episode, we continue our conversation with the queen of videography, Eva Kosmas Flores. Eva is a photographer, author, and educator based in Portland, Oregon. She teaches video and photography through her online courses and in-person workshops. Eva has been creating food videos for over a decade & has grown her business exponentially by offering photo and video content to clients. She talks about the business side of food videos in part 2 of this episode covering how to price videos, licensing & copyright, pitching to clients, how to leverage videos to stand out from the competition, the style of videos for the future & much more.
Food videos can help you stay in business. Not only stay in business, but also skyrocket and catapult your business. Tune into the episode to learn what a successful & thriving food photography & videography business looks like.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/91-how-to-create-captivating-food-videos-and-monetize-your-content-with-eva-kosmas-flores-part-2/
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| #90 - 5 quick tips to improve the lighting in your food photography | 11 Apr 2024 | 00:18:23 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. This week on the podcast, I’ve 5 quick tips to improve the lighting in your food photography. There is always so much to learn about light. Small, subtle changes can completely change the feel of a photo. It can take a photo from realistic to artistic, with never-ending options. Flatlay photography, adding movement to photos, or a creative way to learn about lighting - this week’s tips will immediately tell you what might be missing or can be improved in your photos. It is the reminder we all need every once in a while to stay on top of our lighting game. The truth is that a simple composition with stunning light is way more powerful, than a large composition with beautiful props but okay light.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens Show notes available https://myfoodlens.com/5-quick-tips-to-improve-the-lighting-in-your-food-photography/ Download free resources | |||
| How to create captivating food videos and monetize your content with Eva Kosmas Flores - Part 1 | 03 Apr 2024 | 00:42:16 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. The future is looking towards food in motion. I mean, look at social media. We’re seeing a surge in food videos. Look at client briefs. They want their products to be captured in action. Look at our potential of being able to convey a visual story of food way more powerfully through videos. There is no denying that photos will always hold their importance but the future will have a huge demand for videos. Now, I love creating photos but videos make me sweat. The amount of time, different set of technical skills, additional equipment, and then new editing applications, just totally overwhelms me. If you’re like me, you probably feel the same way that videos are too much work or perhaps, videos don't interest you at all. But the one thing I’ve discovered over the years of being a creative business owner is that our growth & success highly depend on our ability to adapt and pivot towards where the market is moving while staying true to our values and vision as a creative. If you want to ease into video creation, you want to tune into this week’s podcast episode with the Queen of Videography, Eva Kosmas Flores. Eva Kosmas Flores is a photographer, author, and educator based in Portland, Oregon. She teaches video and photography through her online courses and in-person workshops. She is an icon in the food photography industry & has been creating food videos for over a decade. She has stayed open to how the food content creation industry has evolved and has grown her business exponentially by offering photo and video content to clients.
Short videos can capture the audience on your food blog & increase traffic. A photo and video package offered as a service to brands can add scope and bring more revenue. And if you’re creating for passion, expressing food through movement can be a highly enriching & moving experience. If you’ve been thinking about growing your skills, expanding the range of services to brands, somersaulting your social media presence, or just exploring your creativity, this episode with Eva will ease you into the world of creating captivating food videos.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ | |||
| #88 - Why your photography business is not taking off | 20 Mar 2024 | 00:23:11 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Have you ever looked at another photographer and wondered why they’re doing better than you? Why is their business more successful than yours? Why have they achieved what you’ve not? Why is your business not growing like theirs? Will your business ever look like theirs? Will you ever be as successful as them? If these questions have ever crossed your mind, then let me share with you that the reason why some businesses are more successful than others is because they have a secret hack. And no matter which industry it is, every successful person knows this secret and they’re using it to their advantage to build the business of their dreams. In this week’s episode, I’m sharing the reason why your photography business is not taking off & the reason you’re not seeing results in spite of doing all the hard work. I share the secret hack that all successful entrepreneurs have which has helped them build their businesses and can help you build yours too. I share a simple way to incorporate this secret into your business to achieve success. It’s a teeny tiny hack that can make a big impact.
But also knowing fully well that your business should not look like anyone else’s. Not only because that’s what’ll make it unique but also because no two people are alike. So how can their businesses be alike? Your dreams for your business, your vision and your efforts will be very different from someone else's. But irrespective of what your vision for your creative journey is, there is a way to get to where you want to be. There is only one difference between those who are successful at what they set out to do and those who are not, and it is that one practice. If you’re feeling stuck or that your business is not taking off, this episode might change that.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available https://myfoodlens.com/88-why-your-photography-business-is-not-taking-off/ Download free resources | |||
| #87 - The hidden realities of being a professional food photographer with Francesco Sapienza - Part 2 | 12 Mar 2024 | 00:53:24 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Have you noticed that a basic food photographer can have a thriving business and Have you also noticed that a brilliant photographer may not really be making enough in their business? This is more common than you might think. Photography talent is very different from business acumen. They’re both completely different skill sets and just because we are good at photography doesn’t automatically imply we’ll have a profitable business. Yes, it begins with us falling in love with photography. That step is a must to be able to even start a business, but once we are in it, the real game begins. Just like any other business, the reality of running a photography business is more than meets the eye. It might look like all we have to do is take photos for clients, but that’s not what a successful photography business is only about. In this week’s episode, we continue our conversation with the NYC based Italian food photographer, Fracensco Sapienza, to learn more about the unseen realities of being a full-time food photographer. This episode is hot & fiery as we dive into pricing, scaling your business, how to make it bigger by working less, client work, pitching to big brands, how to meet the profit and success we dream of when we set up a business etc. If you’re thinking of moving to full-time photography or wanting to grow the business you already have, become informed about the path ahead and empower yourself for success. Just because there are challenges, doesn’t mean there aren't ways to overcome them. Being aware of those challenges and having realistic expectations is a large part of meeting success in our business. What looks easy on the outside is way more complicated on the inside. But there is no stopping if we decide that a photography business is what we want. Just like we build careers in the corporate world, it takes time and effort to build a career in the business world too. And just because we are artists, doesn't mean we are destined to live the image of the “starving artist”. Let’s be successful business owners and passionate artists. Learning from someone else’s struggles and being prepared for curveballs puts us in a strong position to live the dream we so badly desire. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available https://myfoodlens.com/87-the-hidden-realities-of-being-a-professional-food-photographer-with-francesco-sapienza-part-2/ Download free resources The 10-step photoshoot https://myfoodlens.com/the-10-step-photoshoot-guide/ | |||
| #86 - Side Back light - When to use & avoid it in food photography | 06 Mar 2024 | 00:18:10 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Have you ever been in a photoshoot and felt something was off, but you couldn't quite figure it out? Most of the time, it's because of one big reason – light. But instead of tackling light, our tendency is usually to start fussing with props and backdrops and composition, thinking that is the problem when actually sometimes all it needs is a tiny tweak in the light. But here's the deal – to tweak the light, we’ve got to know what to tweak. We’ve got to understand light. In this week’s podcast, I'm sharing all about one of the most dynamic lighting direction for food photography – Side Backlight. Yep, this kid of lighting is my absolute personal favourite and I share all the reasons why it is so powerful. In this episode I also talk about where this light might not be the best fit because that is part of understanding light. Not just where it works but also where it doesn’t so that not only can we create this awesome light, but also know what to do if we get stuck. The lighting techniques for food photography are not the same as other forms of photography. A solid grasp of lighting in food photography not only streamlines our photoshoot workflow but also propels our skills forward. Understanding various lighting techniques allows us to harness the unique strengths of each type of light, tailoring them to create the mood we want and make the food hero look like a million bucks. Infact, it is the #1 skill every food photographer needs - a good grip on lighting techniques & the ability to troubleshoot when needed. I personally think that side back light is a superhero, it is mine atleast & once you begin to use it, I’m certain this lighting style will totally wow you. Don’t be at the mercy of available light. Create light the way you want and take your photography to the next-level. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available https://myfoodlens.com/86-side-back-light-when-to-use-avoid-it-in-food-photography/ Download free resources | |||
| #85 - The hidden realities of being a professional food photographer with Francesco Sapienza - part 1 | 29 Feb 2024 | 00:49:44 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. What do you think it takes to be a successful commercial food photographer? Excellent camera skills? High level of Creativity? Crazy passion for photography? Expensive photography equipment? What if I told you, none of the above are deal breakers to be a commercial photographer. It takes more than camera skills, creativity and passion to run a photography business. Most of us get into food photography because we love food or have a passion for photography but running a successful and profitable photography business is a completely different game and definitely not a piece of cake. In this week’s podcast we are getting as raw and real as it gets. We are peeling back the layers & sharing the truth of being a commercial food photographer with our guest, Francesco Sapienza, a food photographer based in NYC. He’s worked with huge names like the New York Times, Smithsonian Books, Rizzoli publications, Whole foods market etc. and is sharing how to build a photography business in a competitive market and the challenges to expect. We talk about the different kinds of projects under commercial food photography, how to transition from part-time to full-time photography, the secret ingredient to set up a business, how to add & price your services, rejection in business, whether to get an agent, how to market yourself in a competitive market etc. If you want a real peek into the opportunities and challenges of being a commercial food photographer, this episode is for you.
Ever seen an iceberg? We see a small part of the iceberg above water but the majority is below the surface. A food photography business is exactly like that. What we see on social media or hear professionals talk about is only the part of the business above the surface. There is a large part we don’t see or hear about. In this week’s episode, we’re pulling that large part of the iceberg out of the water so that you can see it in its entirety. Not to discourage you though but to prepare you. This episode is full of truth bombs that will help you in your journey and set you up for success. It will help you anticipate challenges, identify opportunities and embrace change better.
Read more at https://myfoodlens.com Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens Show notes available https://myfoodlens.com/ Download free resources | |||
| #84 - How to know when to create large compositions | 21 Feb 2024 | 00:25:23 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me.
I can totally see why. First off, for the simple reason that composition is art. It is subjective and everyone’s style is different. So it really leaves a lot of grey area on whether a certain technique works or not. Secondly, because composition is an art, it is tough to learn it technically. Yes, we can understand guides and placement and general rules around composition but really, we all know that creating composition is like composing music. Thirdly, compositions are tough because there are so many choices. Any food can be photographed in infinite no. of ways. And because the choices are so vast, it often becomes a time struggle for us. In addition to the time we spend on creating the composition, theres so much decision making that has to be done to choose a composition style for our subject, ending up in taking up more time. What if there was a way to make that decision faster? What if you could look at a food subject and decide what composition style would suit it best? What if you could save all that time upfront? In this week’s episode, we discuss how to know when to create large compositions. We discuss the 3 categories of food that are worth spending the time to create elaborate compositions, how to use that to your advantage in client projects and how to work smartly to create simpler yet powerful compositions.
We are either disappointed or think that we don’t have the skills to envision the result upfront or we start over and recreate. None of these situations are preferable. Learn a simple way of identifying which food works best for larger compositions can help save time, develop the skill of envisioning the result upfront and also position us as experts in front of clients. Whether composition-creation is a struggle or not, here’s a simple way to work smarter with it.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/84-how-to-know-when-to-create-large-compositions/ Download free guide and workbook | |||
| #83 - Don’t lose a year. Make this easy goal setting tweak now | 07 Feb 2024 | 00:18:35 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Whether it’s the start of the year or not, we all find ourselves at different points in our journey setting new goals, striving to achieve existing ones, or perhaps even questioning the necessity of setting goals altogether. Regardless of our stand on goal setting, we all have ambitions for our creative journey. It could be launching a new project, getting better at photography, growing our business, or simply finding more balance in our lives. Whether we set ambitious goals or avoid setting goals altogether to dodge the feeling of overwhelm, we have our own unique approach to move towards our creative aspirations. In this week’s podcast episode, I’m sharing what I wish I had done differently at the start of last year and how I’m approaching my goals this year. Whether you set goals or not, the idea that I’m sharing in this episode can be a game-changer in your creative journey.
Goal-setting is exactly like that. How can we reach somewhere if we don’t set a destination? In this episode I’m sharing a goal-setting tip that can change how much you achieve this year. Making that small tweak in the way you set goals is like picking your parking bay and reversing exactly between the 2 white lines. Perfectly.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
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| #100 - 3 Surprising lessons every photographer needs for a successful business | 12 Aug 2024 | 00:31:35 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Now, did you know that about 20% of all small businesses fail within the first year, half of the remaining fail within the first five years, and only about one in three get to the 10-year mark? In this week’s milestone episode, as we celebrate the 100th episode, I want to share the top 3 lessons that made this possible and kept me in business. I was on the verge of quitting at the 3-year mark but I didn’t and one of the lessons here came from that experience. In this episode, I share the conversation that shook me and changed my status to business owner. I also talk about the surprising investment I made to not quit food photography, and my biggest learning so far. Let my mistakes save you from tears, financial setbacks, and from giving up on your dreams. I’ve seen more businesses shut down than take off. I've seen food photographers give up their dreams and return to desk jobs they hate. I have friends who did not have the courage to follow their passion to run a business. I have seen the most talented photographers get crippled by the fear of failure and quit forever. Running a business or following a Creative career is not for the faint-hearted. We all know that. But there are small shifts in our thinking, professional practices and lifestyle that can make this path easier with a higher chance of success. Let’s be the one in three businesses that make it past the 10-year mark by learning from the surprising situations that our creative journey throws at us.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available at https://www.myfoodlens.com/blog/surpising lessons every photographer needs for a successful business | |||
| #82 - How to build a photography business while balancing family - part 2 with Tessa Huff | 30 Jan 2024 | 00:37:04 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Being a full-time photographer and running a business can be very overwhelming.esp when everyone around is constantly hustling. Someone is working with food52 Someone is shooting for Delicious magazine Someone just made $500,000 by selling their online course Someone is talking about completing 10 years in food photography We hear them, we look at their photography businesses and go, “Sigh! I’m so behind. Everyone is doing so much. I need to work more, work harder.” Running a business is tough. But do you know what is the best part about having your own business? The best part is that your business is your own. It can be anything you want it to be and it does not need to be like anyone else’s. In this week’s episode, we continue our conversation with food photographer, blogger, professional cake designer, and cookbook author, Tessa Huff, who tells us all about how to create a business you love without compromising on your personal life. Tessa has 3 kids, moved countries, shut down a business and started a photography business from scratch only to go on to work with brands like Food network canada. The biggest step she took to set herself up for success was by creating a business unique to her and not influenced by how others were doing it in the industry. In this episode Tessa tells us her challenge of working with food network, how she continues to work with brands on an ongoing basis, how she wrote a cookbook while balancing a business and family and how to make photography a profitable business. The advantage of having our own business is that we can make it anything we like. It doesn’t have to look like someone else’s. We are unique as creatives, our lives are different from each other so how can our businesses look the same? If we can come to terms with this simple concept, it makes it so much easier to create a business around the life we have. Our personal commitments are as important, if not more, than our professional responsibilities. Oftentimes, life changes or starting from scratch makes us feel like we’ve fallen behind. But the truth is that there is no “behind” in life. The biggest advantage of having our own business is that we can set our own pace, milestones, deadlines, processes and definition of success. If you’ve been wondering whether your photography career will ever take off or are feeling behind because of personal commitments or you’re thinking about starting a new business, this episode is for you.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Download free guide and workbook | |||
| #81 - Take your lighting to the next level in food photography | 24 Jan 2024 | 00:21:07 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Have you ever taken a photo and thought - “Ughh! that looks dull” “Why does my photo look flat” “That food does not look delicious” “Why doesn’t my photo pop” “Ok, that looks good but I wish it was better” “Gosh! I did everything right but there’s still something missing” Truth is, 90% of the time that missing factor in our photos is the light. Most of us understand the basics of lighting in food photography but we are forever striving to take it to the next level. We are constantly working on building a better understanding of light and honing our technique so we can create more impactful and eye-catching food photos. But what does it take to create next-level lighting in our photos? How do we tell whether the light in our photos is powerful enough? In this week’s podcast episode, I’m sharing simple yet powerful techniques to take the lighting in our food photography to the next-level. I share some key considerations that can skyrocket the way we work with light & double the power of our photos by working with light in a very intentional way. In this episode, we go beyond lighting-101. It’s about thinking about light and working with it the way most professionals and experienced photographers do.
It doesn’t matter whether we work with artificial light or natural light, whether it's soft light or harsh light, once we have a solid grip on technique, it applies to anything and everything we create. This episode will give you insights into what to look for when you feel there's something missing in your photo. It will also help you look at light differently. It will help you get intimate with your light and really create a photo that meets your vision. We all want to create next-level photos and one of the most essential ways to get there is to deepen our understanding of light.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
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| #80 - How to build a photography business while balancing family - part 1 with Tessa Huff | 17 Jan 2024 | 00:40:06 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. If you had to uproot yourself and move to a new country, How would you feel at that point in life? Would you be excited at the prospect of building a new life and having a clean slate to start from? Or Would you be upset that you had to shut down your business and move to a completely unknown country and start building a life from scratch with such a huge life change on the way? Most of us would be pretty confused or pulled down. I know I would. And even if I would be okay with everything, willing to start a new business, the news of the baby would make me think. I would be excited but also wonder if it would be a good time to start a new business knowing full well how big mom commitments are. Why am I asking you this? Because this is the story of our podcast guest, Tessa Huff. Tessa had to overcome all those challenges that I mentioned above and in spite of it, she built a successful food blogging and photography business for herself. Tessa is a food photographer, blogger, professional cake designer, and cookbook author based in Canada. She’s worked with several big brands including food network Canada. In this week’s episode Tessa shares exactly how she built a business from scratch while taking care of 3 kids at home. She shares what it takes to uproot yourself and settle in a new country, how to set a niche for your business, food styling and content creation tips and how to set up an organized approach to build a successful business from the get go.
We often take challenges and life changes as setbacks but the truth is that these changes have the potential to shape a brighter future for us. Tessa’s opportunity to work with Food Network may or may not have happened had she not moved to Canada. A life change whether it's moving cities, having a baby or simply the idea of starting a business, tune in to learn how to accomplish everything without compromising on anything. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available https://myfoodlens.com/80-how-to-build-a-photography-business-while-balancing-family-part-1-with-tessa-huff/ Download free guide and workbook | |||
| #79 - How to find a higher purpose & make food photography more meaningful | 10 Jan 2024 | 00:23:00 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Look at you stepping into the new year with a smile! Well, I hope you’re smiling because it's the time of the year when fresh starts and new beginnings feel a lot easier to make. I don’t know about your goals but a big goal for me last year and the year before was to not quit food photography. Yep! It was my goal to do what I’m doing in spite of things not going my way. It was a tough one no matter how easy it sounds. And a big part of trying to achieve my goal of not quitting was to be able to recenter myself and constantly remind myself of why I do what I do. Over and over again. A shocking realization in the process was that my love for food photography alone was not big enough to keep me in it. There had to be something more, something that would pull me out of the trenches every time I was sinking. And there was one thing that did exactly that over and over again. It was a huge part of bringing a sense of purpose and a higher meaning to my creative life. It kept me from giving up. In this week’s episode I’m sharing how to find that higher meaning and purpose in food photography. I share why we all need a higher purpose and need to make our photography journey more meaningful, how my entire way of thinking changed once I discovered this purpose, how a small simple step can change your life and others too.
But when I was on the verge of giving up and leaving food photography for good in 2021 that higher purpose grounded me. It saved me from making a decision I knew I would not be happy about. We as humans are always seeking meaning and also logic in everything we do. As passionate as we might be, as creatives we battle self-doubt, judgment, insecurity and sometimes, the feeling of not being seen as an equal to someone with a hot-shot corporate job. We work hard on our skills and business, but I think we work harder on our mindset. We work harder in trying to navigate the tough road of a creative life and an even tougher path of entrepreneurship. If there is a way to make it a tad easier for ourselves, a way for us to navigate this tough path with more strength, resilience and joy, then why not try it. I’m sharing an easy and simple way to create a deep-rooted sense of purpose in your creative lives. I can guarantee that once you find it, you’ll never see food photography the same way and no one around you will either.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/79-how-to-find-a-higher-purpose-make-food-photography-more-meaningful/ Download free guide and workbook | |||
| #78 – How to take a cookbook shoot from start to finish with Diana Muresan – part 2 | 20 Dec 2023 | 00:45:39 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Few years ago I received an enquiry from a brand for a cookbook photoshoot. They had seen my work and wanted to know more about my process and also my rates for the project. I shrieked. I mean who doesn’t want to shoot a cookbook. Almost every photographer dreams of it. I did too. I was excited reading that email. But there was a minor problem. I had never done a cookbook shoot before. I had absolutely no idea what the process looked like and how I was supposed to charge for it. I mean it wasn’t a magazine, it was a cookbook. They’re both print media but are they really similar in process and pricing? My head was spinning. And so, I reached out to my dear friend in the industry, Diana muresan. Diana food photographer, stylist, blogger and educator, was also an experienced cookbook photographer & she came to my rescue. I bombarded her with questions and she answered each one of them patiently and with complete transparency. In this week’s podcast we continue our conversation with Diana Muresan about cookbook shoots and she shares all the tricky details. We talk about pricing the project confidently, credits to be included in such projects, curveballs to expect and how to cater for contingencies, how to keep such projects profitable and whether cookbook photography is lucrative enough. So, when I received that client enquiry, I had made a rough estimate of $5000 for the project but after my conversation with Diana, I realized how far off that was from what the project fee should have been. Based on the brief, it was easily a $12000 project. But I would’ve never known had I not spoken to someone about it. Imagine if I would’ve been hired for $5000 only to realize too late what the project fee should have actually been. Can you imagine the jolt to my confidence, passion and my desire to do a good job on the project? Leave all of that, imagine how unappreciated and unvalued it would’ve made me feel. We never want to be in that situation. If we run a photography business, it is always a good idea to know about the different kinds of projects in the industry, what it takes to execute them & how to quote for them so that if there is ever an opportunity, our decision to take it up or leave it is based on our interest it instead of our lack of knowledge about it. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available https://myfoodlens.com/78-how-to-take-a-cookbook-shoot-from-start-to-finish-with-diana-muresan-part-2/ Download free guide and workbook | |||
| #77 - How to take a cookbook shoot from start to finish with Diana Muresan - part 1 | 13 Dec 2023 | 00:47:07 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Ever dreamt of shooting a cookbook? How would you feel seeing your work in print? How would you feel if you opened a cookbook and found your photos on large pages staring right back at you? I don’t think I’ve ever met a photographer who didn’t want to see their work in print, who wasn’t excited by the thought of photographing a cookbook and creating memories not only special for the author of the cookbook but also for themselves. That feeling is pretty priceless, I’ll say.
There are so many questions about cookbook photography projects that fill our minds that most of the time, the intimidation of the process itself stops us from signing up for a cookbook project, in spite of wanting it so badly. In this week’s episode, Diana Muresan, commercial & editorial food photographer, stylist, blogger and educator based in Canada, who has worked with cookbook authors, national and international food brands and marketing & PR agencies, shares the A-Z process of a cookbook shoot. In our conversation we cover everything from - Landing a cookbook project Questions to ask before quoting for the project Pricing for the project The styling & photography skills needed The team setup required …and basically the entire shebang of taking a cookbook shoot project from start to finish.
Even if there is a mention, there aren't enough details to be able to get a good grip on the entire process. A holistic picture of what this sort of a project entails is somewhat missing in our industry conversations. This episode gives complete insight on what a cookbook project looks like at every single stage. If you’ve ever wanted to photograph a cookbook or wondered what it is to take on such a project, this episode is for you.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available https://myfoodlens.com/77-how-to-take-a-cookbook-shoot-from-start-to-finish/ Download free guide and workbook | |||
| #76 - How to save time & money when investing in photography gear | 06 Dec 2023 | 00:17:58 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. I don’t know which camera to buy. Is this lens worth the cost? Should I go for flash or continuous lights? Deciding on which camera equipment to buy is never easy. It almost always comes down to our budget and whether it’s worth the investment. Have you ever bought a piece of gear and found that it wasn’t really worth buying, didn't improve your photography or was too inconvenient to use? We’ve all spent money on equipment we didn’t really need & we’ve all dreamt of certain equipment we wish we had in our collection. Photography is an expensive craft and we need to be extremely careful where we invest. In this week’s podcast episode, I’ll share one of the best ways to save time and money while investing in photography equipment. Sometimes we wish to upgrade our gear, sometimes we need to replace it and sometimes we are intrigued by a new technology in the market. If we can strengthen our selection process, it can actually save us dollars but also headache, frustration and stress. Here's a simple practice, no matter which stage of the creative journey you’re in, that can be a huge game-changer in our photography investment and skills improvement. The photography equipment we own depends a lot on our personal preferences, our workflow and the kind of work we create either for ourselves or for our clients. It takes many factors for a certain equipment to work for us and take our skills to the next level. One wrong choice can set us back hundreds and thousands of dollars. It can also set us back in our confidence and in feeling skillful - that’s how important it is to make our equipment choice wisely. There is a way for us to make an informed decision which has a 100% guarantee of working for us. If you’re wondering if that's really possible, I want to tell you, it absolutely is. Spend your money on the right equipment, save the headache of decision-making & become a more skillful photographer in the process. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
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| #75- Not making enough money in food photography? 3 common mistakes to avoid | 22 Nov 2023 | 00:18:32 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. A few weeks ago someone on social media commented on one of my posts saying that in their opinion they didn’t believe that food photography could ever be a full-time career, that it could be profitable or be taken up professionally. I didn’t say much to this because we are all welcome to have our opinions and unfortunately, this is a common opinion about our industry. But between you and me, I completely disagree. In my opinion, there is absolutely nothing in the world that cannot be a full-time profession, it all depends on us. And food photography, c’mon, we have so many success stories in front of us who are leading a thriving career in food photography. But I can also understand why someone might feel that food photography cannot be a full-time profession. I mean, do food photographers make enough money? Do you? The answer is Yes and No. I know many successful food photographers who are doing well financially because of the way they’ve shaped their creative career but I also know several who are struggling to make ends meet and questioning whether it was the right choice. If you fall in the latter category, I have something for you today. In this week's podcast episode, I’m sharing 3 simple yet big reasons why you might not be making enough money in your photography business. I’ve included immediate actionable steps that you can take today to change the way you might be bringing in revenue in your business. These might seem obvious but they’re highly overlooked and not applied, resulting in the frustration of pursuing a career that we dearly love but cannot sustain financially. The good news is that we can change that. This episode is for you if - You’re not making as much as you’d like in your photography business Or You’d like to make more than what you do right now Or You’re curious if you’re missing anything in your business workflow even though you’re pretty happy with what you’re making Money is not what got us into food photography so how can it be the reason to take us away from it. At the same time, we need to be practical. We've got to pay rent, our child's school fees, bills, and we deserve a comfortable life too… And if food photography is not bringing us that joy both emotionally and financially then it’s time to relook at the way we are driving it. Don’t fall for a stranger’s opinion on whether food photography is full-time worthy or not. Your financial freedom is in your hands.Do the work and bask in the success. Here are 3 simple practices to put the rein into your hands.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
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| #74 - How to create a resilient food photography business unaffected by social media changes with Madhushree & Anindya Basu - Part 2 | 15 Nov 2023 | 00:36:43 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Would you like more followers on social media? More likes? More engagement? YES? Almost everyone wishes they had a larger following on social media. Infact, there are courses in the market on “How to get 300k followers in 30 days.” Sounds tempting, right? Who wouldn't want a larger community? Why not? But the question we really need to ask is, why? Why do we want a larger community? How does it help us or help them? Will it make us better photographers? Will it boom our business? Will it celebritize us in the industry? Will it bring more clients? Truth is, having a large following is very minutely linked to any of these. The celebritize part I would agree with but at the core of being photographers and business owners, social media only solves a certain purpose for us. This week on the podcast we continue our conversation on this hot topic with the power-duo, husband-wife team, Madhushree and Anindya Basu @pikturenama. Previously restaurateurs, now food bloggers, food influencers, food photographer & videographer, cookbook authors, food writers, together the duo runs a creative agency in India. Madhu and Anindya have a stunning social media presence and are driving a successful food blogging and photography business. ..And in this episode they share how it’s been possible inspite of social media changes. We discuss whether algorithm changes impact client work, When do the numbers on social media matter, Mistakes creators make, what it takes to create a robust presence on social media & the absolute needle moving effort that improves skills and brings business There is no denying that social media numbers are important but we need to have utmost clarity on how they’re working for us and why we should work on them. It is essential to take a step back and look at our clients or our revenue generators to see how much of it is really linked to social media. What would happen if our numbers didn’t grow? What would fall apart? This conversation with Madhu & Anindya is an eye opener. They’re practical about the value of social media but at the same time, they’ve taken steps to build a solid foundation for their business that does not get impacted by algorithm changes. If you’ve wondered whether it’s possible to thrive as a food photographer with a smaller following on social media or creating less content or being less present, this episode is for you. It will tell you exactly where numbers matter and where they don’t
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/74-how-to-create-a-resilient-food-photography-business-unaffected-by-social-media-changes-with-madhushree-anindya-basu-part-2/ | |||
| #73 - The #1 lighting mistake in moody photography | 08 Nov 2023 | 00:22:27 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Let’s say you have a friend who loves your photography.. ..but they don’t really understand the technicalities. One day you post a moody photo And they absolutely love it. So they ask, “how did you create it?” And you get excited and start telling them all about light and how light creates mood. But how confident are you about your understanding of light in moody photography? What if I told you that the most common mistake photographers make while creating moody photography is in the lighting. And that is majorly because of one huge misconception that has risen from social media. Many photographers teach this technique to create moody photography and those who learn don’t even realize that the technique is not really accurate. This week’s episode is inspired by that one misleading advice about lighting in moody photography that we see all over the internet. In this episode I describe the different moods in food photography, what creates mood, lighting basics for creating mood and the biggest lighting mistake we make in moody food photography. Light is the backbone of photography and it is made up of a ton of subtleties. Having a good hold on these subtleties allows us to take our photography to the next level. Understanding brights, highlights, shadows and darks is essential to be able to create a powerful food photo especially, if we want to create a specific mood in that photo. When we have a deep understanding of the components of light we can create different moods with exactly the same composition by working on the lighting alone. And if someone asks “how did you create it?” We understand lighting for moody photography well enough to be able to answer in the most informed and technically correct way.. … And with full confidence! Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/73-the-1-lighting-mistake-in-moody-photography/ Download free guide and workbook | |||
| #99 - 5 Professional Replies to Client requests for RAW Files without losing their trust | 08 Jul 2024 | 00:30:03 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. This week on the podcast, I’m sharing 5 reasons why you shouldn’t share RAW files with a client and how to communicate it professionally. I share 5 critical aspects of RAW file sharing that clients may not be aware of, and maybe you too. Even if you do, you may not be bringing it up with the client thinking it’s not important or they probably already know.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/99-5-professional-replies-to-client-requests-for-raw-files-without-losing-their-trust/ | |||
| #72 – The #1 mistake to avoid when investing in a course | 25 Oct 2023 | 00:21:30 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Have you ever bought a course, and then left it for some or the other reason without completing it? Have you ever bought a course, completed it but it never really gave you results. Didn’t help much. Most of us have invested in courses in our creative lives and gone through the pain of certain courses not working out for us. We buy courses but don't always get the results we expect. What happens when a course doesn’t work out for us? It feels like a waste of money. It feels like a waste of time. We doubt whether we’re the only ones who didn’t quite get it. We judge the course instructor thinking they didn’t do a good job. It makes us hesitant to invest in another course again. While there are many mediocre courses out there and any of the above can be true about a course, we rarely invest in courses that are truly mediocre. We buy courses after careful thought & consideration. But still they don’t work out. WHY does that happen and WHEN does that happen? Spoiler alert - it has nothing to do with money. In this week’s podcast episode I share the #1 mistake when buying a course. The top reason why a course doesn’t help us, why we don’t feel motivated to complete it and how it impacts our faith in our skills. Quite often it is neither the content of the course nor the course instructor. The mistake has to do with us. I’ll tell you how I wasted 1000s of dollars just because of this one reason & share how to save money, make the right choice when it comes to investing in a course and get the maximum results from that decision. There’s no guarantee that a $1000 course will work better than a $100 course. It depends on us. If our selection is not based on that one solid criteria, whether it's $1000 or $100, both courses will be a waste of money and time. We have so much to learn as photographers, it is a time-consuming and energy demanding passion. We need to make sure that if we spend time and energy on learning something new, it should inch us towards our photography goals. If it leaves us confused, frustrated or exactly where we were, that course was definitely not the right choice. There is a way to always know which course would be the best choice and where to make your investment. Don’t make the same mistake I made for years.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
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| #71-How to create a resilient food photography business unaffected by social media changes with Madhushree & Anindya Basu | 18 Oct 2023 | 00:51:53 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Instagram has gone through such massive changes in the last year that we food photographers & bloggers are finding it difficult to love it like before. Some creators are thriving. Some have left the platform. Some have distanced themselves. Some return only for the community and conversations. It has impacted almost all of us esp. those who depended on Instagram for collaborations, influencer work, driving traffic to their blog or getting discovered by clients. While we feel robbed of the joy we once felt sharing our work on the platform, our businesses have also been impacted. It’s not easy navigating through this phase of social media. It doesn’t really inspire us to share our work on it anymore like before. Tell me you feel so too. This week’s podcast is ultra-special because we have not one, but two special guests - husband-wife, Madhushree and Anindya Basu @pikturenama. Previously restaurateurs, now food bloggers, food influencers, food photographer & videographer, cookbook authors, food writers, together the duo runs a creative agency in India. While many creators are struggling in this social media climate, Madhu and Anindya are buzzing with their thriving food blogging and photography business.. ..And in this episode they share how it’s been possible inspite of social media changes. We talk about the impact of social media on the creative industry, how to diversify your business, how to promote your business outside of social media, get discovered by clients, a powerful practice to grow your business while staying unaffected by Instagram algorithms etc. As creators, we love connecting back to a community on social media and as business owners, we love how social media gives us access to potential clients and showcases our professional work. There are so many reasons for us to feel frustrated given how it has changed but hearing Madhu & Anindya will not only give hope but also leave you with fresh ideas on how to navigate through this phase. It’s time to embrace, adapt and pivot because it is totally possible to still find joy in sharing our work and also have a thriving business in spite of Instagram’s mood swings.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
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| #70 - Are you missing a step in your photography process? | 11 Oct 2023 | 00:46:23 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Do your photos spark an action? Do your photos leave an impact? Does your photography solve a problem? And how can photos spark an action in the first place? Is it even possible? How can you tell if they do? I can almost hear you saying, "Isn't food photography all about making mouths water?" Truth is, creating delicious photos & making a viewer drool is just the first step. And it's not enough. The real purpose of a food photo comes into play after making the viewer drool. It is that next step that determines how impactful our photo is. And creating impactful photos is critical if we want to take our photography to the next level and work with clients. It’s almost a non-negotiable in food photography, whether hobby or business. And to be able to create a photo that influences and warrants action, we need a powerful photography process in place. This week’s podcast episode is a fun one. I’m sharing my guest interview on the show, The Vine Podcast hosted by Madison Wetherill. I’m sharing - Why you need to create impactful photos How to streamline your photography process When do our photos miss the mark The exact steps to save time and be efficient in a photoshoot, yet create an impactful photo
We also want to create those meaningful photos without spending endless hours. This episode will not only empower you to create purposeful photos in an efficient way, it will also show you how creating impactful photos can help grow your photography business and make photography even more joyful & fulfilling. Having a streamlined process that saves you time, enhances your efficiency, and also maximizes the impact of your work, is an absolute win.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/70-are-you-missing-a-step-in-your-photography-process/
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| #69 - How to become a beverage photographer with Jordan Hughes | 04 Oct 2023 | 01:16:43 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Which photography subject is just as interesting and powerful as food? Ok here’s a hint - Beverage Photography! It is just as interesting as food and by including it to the list of subjects we shoot, we can actually start adding it as an additional service we offer to our clients. When we talk about beverage photography, there’s no way we can't mention Jordan Hughes @highproofpreacher - the ultimate master of beverage photography & videography. He’s been featured in Forbes, AskMen, Liquor.com, VinePair & was awarded both the editor’s & reader’s choice for Best Drinks Instagram 2019 by Saveur Magazine. In this week’s podcast episode, Jordan talks about everything related to beverage photography, how to improve your drinks photography, how to find clients, the role of social media and how to take up beverage photography professionally. Oftentimes we get so hung up on only the food aspect of food photography that we forget to explore the other powerful subject this niche offers like beverages. Shooting drinks enriches our portfolio, shows versatility, sharpens our skills and allows us to broaden the range of clients we serve and boost our business. We strengthen our potential as a food photographer by exploring subjects that can be a differentiator for us. What’s not to love about beverage photography! Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/69-how-to-become-a-beverage-photographer-with-jordan-hughes/ Want to improve your beverage photography skills?
Don’t forget to use code MYFOODLENS for 20% off.
Download free guide and workbook | |||
| #68 - How to break free from those "zero-dollar" months in your business | 27 Sep 2023 | 00:22:08 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. “There are months when I’ve so much work and then there are months with absolutely no projects.” “The income is so inconsistent, it’s hard to predict how much money I’ll make in the next 3 months.” “Some months it rains dollars, other months are drought.” "I don’t know if I can really turn to full-time photography, it’s so unpredictable." Does any of this sound familiar? Do you struggle with irregular patterns of client work & income? This unpredictability can be nerve wrecking. Not knowing if we’ll be able to make rent next month, is unsettling. So unsettling, that it can begin to take a toll on our emotional health and even consider giving up food photography, thinking that it is not a financially viable career. When that is totally not true!
Food photography is most definitely a full-fledged viable career choice, but just like any other business, it depends a lot on us. That’s why in this week’s episode, I want to share a powerful way for you to create consistent income in your food photography business so that you have a regular cycle of client projects. I talk about what to change in your business workflow to be able to start tapping into clients and projects that you may already have. Just one additional step in your trajectory can be a complete game changer. A little work from your side can lead to years of assured income. It's time to take control of your photography business and move away from those dreaded zero-dollar months.
And that’s important because a high is not a high without a low. Ofcourse, going from high to higher to higher is the best but unrealistic too. So, it becomes highly important to equip ourselves such that our lows are never too low. And it's a no-brainer when we don’t need any extra gear or investment to be able to do that. Oh and also if we don’t need any additional years of experience either. Never stay guessing whether next month will be a high or a low. Be a confident photographer, always having a certain level of predictability of your monthly income so you have a secure bank balance, peace of mind and continue making money doing what you love.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/68-how-to-break-free-from-those-zero-dollar-months-in-your-business/ Episode 56 - https://myfoodlens.com/56-top-3-questions-to-ask-a-client-on-a-discovery-call/
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| #67 - Grow your business with Pop Art photography & videography with Sean Misa | 12 Sep 2023 | 00:44:40 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Do you want to try a new style of photography & videography to keep the romance alive in your craft? Or maybe you want to start offering more services to your clients so you can make more money in your business?
What if there was a style of photography that was fun, bold and absolutely a hot favorite with brands in the current times..
Imagine the opportunity to learn something cool that could bring in extra or new clients. In this week’s podcast, we have a special guest, Sean Misa, who has mastered the art of pop art photography and videography in the world of food and product photography. Stop motion expert, Sean, is based in Seattle & tells us all about the hot trend of Pop Art. Sean has established himself as a thought leader and specialist in stop motion videos, particularly in creating pop art style content for brands around the world. He shares everything about this style, how to create it, how to approach clients, become an expert, use this skill to grow your business & emerging photography trends to watch out for. Photography and videography go hand in hand and when we already know the basics of photography, learning a new style becomes easy and fun. If we can create the style of photos and videos that are trending with brands right now, we have a huge opportunity to expand our client base. Pop Art is a hot favourite with brands and has gained a lot of popularity because of the way it uses popping colors and light. In my experience as a commercial photographer, I have seen brands move massively towards this style because it looks so chic, cutting edge and captures the attention of the viewer in a minute. And boy, am I glad I knew how to create it because it saved my current clients from turning to other photographers and also brought in new clients for me. Pop art is definitely a show stopper and it’s pretty awesome to be able to create it. Learn all about this trending style and turn it into an opportunity to bring in additional dollars or to build the versatility of your skills. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/67-grow-your-business-with-pop-art-photography-videography-with-sean-misa/
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| #66 - Does your photography style limit you from working with clients? | 06 Sep 2023 | 00:22:54 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. When we are exploring food photography as a hobby, pursuing it only for the joy of it, we create photos that speak to us, that portray our interpretation of the art. And in that process of exploring, somewhere along the way we start creating a specific style of photos. For some, it is minimalistic photography. For some, they’re large compositions. For some, it is harsh light only. For some, they’re monochromatic colors. We all have a different artistic expression in our photography and we take pride in creating it. But what happens when we want to work with clients? When we have a signature style of photography, how do we work with clients? Does it stop us from working with clients or does it open doors to opportunities? In this week’s podcast episode, we are talking all about the emphasis on finding our photography style and whether it helps us in building our photography business or stops us from moving forward. I share my unpopular opinion on the idea of finding our style, when it comes to our rescue, how to use it to our advantage and when to move past it. I’m sure when you first took on client projects, you doubted your ability to nail their vision. You questioned whether you were skilled enough to work with clients in the first place And even today, if a new project comes your way, it gets you a tad bit nervous esp. if the style of photography is different from what you usually create. Our style can be our biggest strength and it can also be our weakness, depending on the situation and our business goals. There’s no right or wrong but there’s definitely an efficient and smart way to broaden our client base while still having a signature style of photography. Just because we have a signature style doesn’t mean we aren’t versatile. Learn what it means to have a distinct style and still be able to create in a variety of different photography styles. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/66-does-your-photography-style-limit-you-from-working-with-clients/ Download free guide and workbook | |||
| #65 - How to become a commercial food photographer with Mica McCook | 30 Aug 2023 | 00:57:34 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Do you have a full-time job and wonder what it’ll take to switch to food photography? Do you have a new photography business & wonder what would be the next best steps to propel your business forward? Or perhaps You're already in the field but struggling to attract more clients and projects?
It can be very overwhelming because photography is only one part of it. Pitching, marketing, contracts, finances and network building are some of the other parts. Obviously it is a lot to take in and wrap our head around. Today we’ve Mica McCook, food photographer based in Austin, who switched many corporate & creative careers in the pursuit to find her calling & finally found herself in commercial food photography. She tells us what it takes to prepare for the real world and how to build a profitable career out of food photography. We dive into the basics of setting yourself up as a professional food photographer. We spill the beans on how to pick the right gear and talk about some game-changing tips to give your business a boost.
We don't always have to reinvent the wheel. We can learn from the experiences of others and fast forward our journey. We can avoid making the same mistakes and follow the tried and tested winning strategies of those who’ve already walked that path.
If you've ever wondered whether food photography could be more than a hobby or side gig OR if you're itching to know how to grow your food photography biz, you won't want to miss this episode. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/65-how-to-become-a-commercial-food-photographer/
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| #64 - How to create powerful food photos by evoking emotion with Suze Morrison - part 2 | 23 Aug 2023 | 00:50:14 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Don’t you love it when someone says, “This photo reminds me of how my mom cooked.” “Your photo made me go and bake a chocolate cake.” “I can literally taste it just by looking at the photo.” These words are the result of the emotion your photo evokes in a viewer. As food photographers, we want to create photos that not only look beautiful but connect with the viewer at a deep emotional level. When viewers connect with a photo, they see the story, they interpret the art, and feel like they’ve been transported into it - that is the ultimate success of a food photo ..and it cannot happen without the secret ingredient of emotion.
In this part, Suze talks about finding your style through emotion, the relationship between storytelling and emotion in photography and how to create a photography process that is not only streamlined & efficient but also brings out your best work.
Art is also an emotion. And photography is art. That makes it even more essential to have a strong element of emotion in our photography to create a photo that moves the viewer. A successful photo is not only technically sound but has a strong element of emotion. Technique and emotion should balance each other and one without the other is incomplete. Start creating powerful food photos by evoking emotion. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/64-how-to-create-powerful-food-photos-by-evoking-emotion-with-suze-morrison-part-2/
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| #63 - Are you downgrading by becoming a photographer? | 08 Aug 2023 | 00:28:16 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Few months ago, a food photographer reached out to me. She is a full-time architect and a passionate food photographer and blogger. She sent me a voice message with a question. When I heard that question I could not believe it. She was saying something I never had the courage to say out loud. You see, we all have thoughts. Some that we share and some that are so difficult that we can’t even say them out loud.
Will I be considered educated and intelligent enough if I’m just a photographer? Is this career switch a step up in life or step down? In this week’s podcast, I’m sharing big truth bombs about being a professional food photographer. It is a very raw and real episode, packed with realities of choosing a creative career. I talk about all the secret thoughts we have when considering food photography as a career and I also share what I did about those thoughts. I have never talked about this with anyone. Not even with my husband. This is the first time I’m laying it all straight up on the table. If you have ever considered leaving your 9-5 to start a creative career whether as a photographer or a blogger or stylist etc. then you most definitely have had some strong thoughts. There are so many doubts and insecurities associated with a career change especially if it is not a glamorous switch but rather a bold & brave switch. The question from that food photographer took me back to the time when I was stuck in a dilemma and had so many scary thoughts around food photography as a full-time job. Hope this open & honest episode helps you answer the doubts & address the insecurities you may be too scared to say out loud. Reach out if you’ve been going through similar thoughts. I know exactly what you feel. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/63-are-you-downgrading-by-becoming-a-photographer/ Download free guide and workbook | |||
| #98 - How to build a six-figure food photography business with Sam Adler - part 2 | 26 Jun 2024 | 00:46:07 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. In this week’s podcast, we continue our conversation with Sam Adler, a food photographer, Saveur Blog Award winner, and food blogger about what it takes to become a 6-figure food photographer. Sam already has a 6-figure food photography and blogging business. She also has 3 kids, and is aiming to make a million dollars in revenue next year. Being able to justify our rates, watch out for pricing mistakes, learn to negotiate, and find legitimate resources for industry standards are essential for building a robust, secure business. Sam shares how to find high-paying clients, industry standards for license fees, raise your rates regularly, make 100k with your food blog, negotiate when budgets don’t align etc. If you’re stuck, feel that you’re not making enough in your food photography business, or doubt that you could have a profitable business, learn how to navigate the challenges blocking your way to a six-figure business. Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/98-how-to-build-a-six-figure-food-photography-business-with-sam-adler-part-2/ | |||
| #62 - How to find confidence to work with clients with Anja Burgar | 31 Jul 2023 | 01:03:06 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. There’s a food brand or a restaurant you absolutely love. You dream of photographing for them, to work with their products and earn some moolah too. But you think about it and say, “Nah! Why would they work with me?” And there.. your dreams never take shape. How often do we stop ourselves from sending out a pitch or reaching out to a client thinking that we’re not ready or we’re not good enough? And then, even if we reach out, how often do we lose hope when we don’t hear back from them? We think they didn’t like our work. And boom… all the courage we muster, comes crashing down.
In this week's episode we have the talented, Anja Burgar from @useyournoodles telling us all about finding confidence, staying confident and making money doing what we love. She talks about the reasons creators hesitate from reaching out to brands, the role of a streamlined process, how to deal with rejections, the importance of the right fee structure and much more. If you’re holding yourself back waiting to feel “ready” OR you feeling beaten up because of the way a client situation turned out, this episode is for you.
We all feel shaky when we are starting out or when situations don’t go our way. Every small and big situation either gives or takes away our confidence. Everything we encounter in our creative journey contributes to how confident and competent we feel. But most often when we feel we are not skilled enough, it is not really true. We are skilled enough, we just don’t have the confidence in ourselves. Processes and mindset, both play a huge role in helping us build the muscle of confidence. You just have to believe that you do. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
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| #61 - 6 ways to avoid & overcome burnout | 26 Jul 2023 | 00:32:34 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. You wake up tired. Even the smallest task feels burdensome. You don’t want to pick your camera. The thought of photography doesn’t feel exciting. You doubt yourself looking at others moving forward in their creative journeys. You’re snapping and angry at everyone at home. You feel tired, frustrated and unmotivated. If this sounds like you, you might be experiencing burnout. Photography and blogging might be creative fields but they can be very demanding. These careers not only require our mental energy, constantly churning out creative ideas but also the physical work of cooking, styling, executing photoshoots and editing. You and I both know how much time and energy it takes for constant content creation for social media, pitching to clients, creating work for ongoing clients, maintaining our business, family responsibilities and so forth. And the pressure to top it all. There is so much good work out there that we continuously push ourselves to create better and to create more. We keep stretching that rubber band until one day it snaps. That's when burnout sets in in full swing. And repairing that rubber band aka healing and overcoming burnout is a long drawn process. I’ve been there and I lost 6 months of my creative & personal life. In today’s episode, I want to share 6 effective ways that can help you come out of burnout. After many attempts of taking breaks, going on holidays and trying every other thing under the sun, I realized that coming out of a burnout takes a combination of different steps. And it is most definitely not a quick fix. It takes changes in our creative and personal lives to be able to emerge healthily out of it, without quitting or giving up our passion. I’m sharing the combination of steps that worked for me and helped me come out of this quicksand, called burnout. If you’ve been feeling tired and uneasy in your creative journey, watch out for hidden signs of stress and burnout because I call it the black smoke. Burnout creeps in like smoke, you hardly notice it and then it spreads until it completely chokes you. That’s how brutal it is. Hope these steps help you ignite your creative spark once again.
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| #60 – How to create powerful food photos by evoking emotion with Suze Morrison – Part 1 | 19 Jul 2023 | 00:41:25 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. The aroma of freshly baked bread The taste of that mango pickle The smell of coffee The sizzle of that barbeque Food either makes us happy, makes us hungry, takes us back to our grandma’s kitchen, has a cultural meaning or instills some or the other feelings in us. Food evokes emotions in us. And as photographers, food is our subject. So, imagine how incomplete a food photo would be if it did not evoke emotion. Food is connected to our physical and emotional health. Food brings pleasure. Food builds communities. It bonds children with parents. It has so many feelings attached to it. And yet, as food photographers we get so caught up in compositions and props that we forget to convey those feelings in our photos. In this week’s episode, Suze Morrison, award winning photographer and professional chef, tells us the power of evoking emotion through food photography. Suze has a signature style but each one of her works transports the viewer either into her world or a world of their own - the ultimate goal of a food photo. The sign of a successful photo. Suze shares why food photography is incomplete without the element of emotion, she explains how to bring emotion to storytelling and ways to find inspiration to take your photography to the next level. She shares how she broke away from a certain style of photography and how it helped her unlock her best work. If your photography is missing something, it might be this. Yes, we need strong technique, but oftentimes the idea of bringing emotion to our photos doesn’t strike us. It is ignored, underrated or not thought about at all. As food photographers, we want to create photos that not only look beautiful but instill emotions in the viewer and even warrant an action from them, like making a recipe or getting inspired by a photo or calling their mom to tell her how they miss her cooking. Powerful emotion in food photography is what makes one photo more successful than the other, it is more than meets the eye because emotions are all about feelings. Suze tells us all about it. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/60-how-to-create-powerful-food-photos-by-evoking-emotion-with-suze-morrison
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| #59 - How to price your work as a food photographer with Joanie Simon - part 2 | 06 Jul 2023 | 00:46:27 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Tell me that you’ve never tried to find market rates for photography services. That you’ve never tried to google, “rates for food photography services.” That you’ve never been totally confused about the fee structure for photography. You have. Haven’t you? Because that's what happens with all of us. When we are starting out there is a huge question mark that appears in our minds and it’s all about money. Unfortunately, there are no benchmarks, no rules, no standards and no information available online or easily that we can use as a guide to price our work - which makes it crazy difficult to know whether we are doing it right or not. That’s why, today we continue our conversation with Joanie Simon on everything about pricing and setting our rates. This episode is part 2 of the pricing series and it is more power packed than you can imagine.
Oh and she shares an experience that completely changed the way she priced her work. Setting your fee when you’re starting out is as tough as increasing your fee as you move forward in your journey. At every stage of our creative business, we are posed with fee-related situations that require us to be strong and confident. As creative photographers, we just want to take pretty photos. Looking at rate cards or excel sheets or expenses isn’t exactly our favorite part. But the truth is that, if we are not making money, we cannot call ourselves a business. Money is as important as everything else and dealing with it with confidence is essential. It is not easy but also not tough. This episode will give you that boost and also a peek into the world of pricing in food photography.
https://myfoodlens.com/58-how-to-price-your-work-as-a-food-photographer-part-1/
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| #58 - How to price your work as a food photographer with Joanie Simon - Part 1 | 28 Jun 2023 | 00:45:31 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. What was the first question you had when you decided to start working with clients? “How much should I charge?” “How do I know what to charge?” “What should be the fee?” Something to this effect, would you agree? Aren’t pricing and rates one of the toughest aspects of setting up a food blogging or photography business? Fee is the number#1 reason we are overwhelmed & nervous when starting out as a business. It gives us sleepless nights. That’s why I have our favorite food photographer, Joanie Simon joining us today to talk all about pricing your work as a food photographer. She walks us through all the different ways of setting our rates, how to approach pricing, which projects to take up, how to talk to clients, what to include in a proposal and how to address overtime work. If you’re a content creator working with clients or wish to work with clients, this episode is not to be missed. Money is an awkward topic, it is the toughest part to wrap around in your business. Joanie is a pro food photographer who has been in the market long enough to tell us the best way to approach pricing and the shortcut to doing it the right way because the last thing we want is the pressure of money to suck away the joy of creating. Good news is that business and creativity can co-exist and thrive too, as long as we know how to approach it.
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/58-how-to-price-your-work-as-a-food-photographer-part-1
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| #57 - How to use flat lays to improve your photography skills | 21 Jun 2023 | 00:24:23 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Do you get nervous if you’ve to shoot with a new light or new space? What if you need to work with a food you’ve not handled before? Does any of that make you nervous? What happens is that, when we begin with food photography, we want to jump into all different photography techniques, big compositions, think about props, spend money on backdrops & we want to do it all quickly. We see magnificent photos on social media, get inspired and all we want is to be able to create like them. And, we want to get there fast. But in this process, we often skip a few steps in our learning to fast track to creating “social-media” style photos. And that’s where the cracks begin to appear, the difference between those who are technically strong in their skills and those who are not. But what if there was a way to create those magnificent photos in a way that also made us focus on the technical aspects. That’s why in this week’s episode, I want to talk about a way for photographers to explore all the fun aspects of photography while working on strengthening technique and honing it. …by working on flatlay photography. I share why flatlays are different from other camera angles, how it can catapult your photography, and how you can utilize it to build specific skills as a photographer. Don’t skip a step in your learning, instead make that step exciting and fun to learn.
The good news is that honing your skills or practicing powerful photography techniques does not have to be serious and boring. Whether we are a beginner or have been photographing for a few years now, there are always areas that need work. Flatlays can be an effective way to pick out the skills that need extra attention and work on it. I share exactly what you can do and how you can take advantage of the power of flatlays so that no new situation or food phases you. You don’t get nervous, but instead tackle it like a pro. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/57-how-to-use-flat-lays-to-improve-your-photography-skills
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| #56 - Top 3 questions to ask a client on a discovery call | 14 Jun 2023 | 00:34:17 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. A brand is interested to work with you. They reach out to you asking for your fee or rate card. Tell me what would you do -
Which option did you choose? If you chose anything except option e) then you might be losing on to some big opportunities. We know that not every project is the same. The way we photograph for one brand and the amount of work it takes is different from the other. Then how can our fee be the same, if the work and scope is not the same?
I don’t say this about all episodes, but I curated this episode after 5 years of learning on the job, getting kicked in the ***, losing projects, being taken advantage of and feeling like a certain client did not deserve me. This week I’m sharing 3 top questions to ask a client on a discovery call. These questions have protected me in my business, the conversations on discovery calls have got me repeat clients, connections with potential clients have allowed me to expand my services to clients worldwide. And that has all been by asking the right questions - upfront! If you want to streamline your client booking process, make sure your fee is suited to the project, feel confident about sending your rate card and walk away feeling pumped to work with a brand - this episode is totally for you! If there is a way to feel confident about handling client enquiries, having conversations that lead to long-term client relationships and offering a fee that works for you & brings profit - then follow that path. Running a business and making money is tough work. You never want to feel like you lost out or got a raw deal. And the only person who can prevent that from happening is you. Take the right action by asking the right questions that will not only help your business make money but also establish you as a pro & everyone wants to work with pro, right? Read more at https://myfoodlens.com Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/56-top-3-questions-to-ask-a-client-on-a-discovery-call | |||
| #55 - How to attract clients and build a community with a website with Madison Wetherill | 07 Jun 2023 | 00:46:32 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. What would happen if instagram closed down tomorrow? And facebook too? How would you share your work? Where would potential clients find you? Would you still be able to connect with a community of like-minded creators? And let’s say instagram didn’t close down, even then, what if you owned a platform that was stable and not affected by algorithm changes. This week I’m joined by podcaster & food blogger turned website developer at Grace and Vine Studios, Madison Wetherill who shares all about websites for food bloggers and photographers. Having a website is one thing but having an effective website that brings clients and builds a community, is another.
As visual creators we have the advantage of taking our website appeal up a notch with our powerful photos or videos that can potentially double entice an audience. It is natural to what we create. So, why not make use of it? Websites aren’t just for professionals. A website is YOUR space to showcase YOUR work. Whether you’re a hobbyist , professional photographer, food blogger, or any content creator, you need a website, a space that is truly your own. The power of a website has become diluted in today’s world of social media but that is what makes it even more important, even more essential. Do you have a website yet or looking to create one?
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/55-how-to-attract-clients-and-build-a-community-with-a-website | |||
| #54 - How to start & grow a food photography business | 17 May 2023 | 00:39:55 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me. Do you have a full-time job, but want to turn food photography into a full-time business? Are you a hobbyist who loves food photography and wonders what it would be like to take it up professionally? Are you a professional food photographer wondering how to book more clients and stand out from your competition? Last year, I was invited on the Eat Capture Share Podcast by food photographer, Kimberly Espinel to chat about all of that and much more. My chat with her was so power packed that I had to share it with you. We talked about pitching to clients, how to stand out, client experience and the critical breakthroughs in our creative lives that help to start a business, scale it and not quit. That’s key, right? My breakthroughs helped me take the leap from architecture to professional food photography, book prestigious clients inspite of limited experience and almost no connections, reach clients globally and win bids - I talk about how it was all possible. I want to share this with you because I know how overwhelming it can be if you’re thinking of switching to full-time food photography or trying to grow your current business. Our journeys are so similar that this conversation might help you take that next step you’ve been thinking about.
I’m sure you will relate to them & be able to apply them to skyrocket your own journey. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/
Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/54-how-to-start-grow-a-food-photography-business/ | |||
| #53 - Backlight: When to use & avoid it in food photography | 10 May 2023 | 00:21:44 | |
Love the episode? Send me a text & tell me.
You know something is not working, but can’t put your finger on it. Well, more than 90% of the time, it is the same darn reason that gets us stuck. It is the troublemaker but also the knight in shining armor. Which means, it is the devil but can be the hero - depending on how we deal with it. You know what I'm talking about - That one reason that gets us stuck, is light. 90% of the time we get stuck because the light does not work as magically as we want it to. And instead of focussing on it, we start replacing the props, backdrops, the composition and totally underestimate that all it might actually need is just a slight tweaking of the light. But to tweak the light, we need to have an understanding of light. Lighting in food photography is different from portrait, product, landscape and even architectural photography. That’s why, in this week’s episode I'm sharing with you one of the most powerful lighting techniques in food photography - Backlight. Unlike other lighting directions, backlight is a tad bit tricky. I call it Mr. Hyde. …. Because it can be evil and vicious but it can also skyrocket our photo from good to Wow… as long as we can use it to our advantage. In this episode I’m sharing how to read backlight, when to use and when to avoid it ….so that you can not only create backlight but also quickly identify the problem if you get stuck. Having a grip on lighting in food photography not only helps to save time during a photoshoot but also propels our skills forward. Knowing different lighting techniques enables us to tap into the power of each light type and use it in a way that works perfectly for the mood and food we are working with. Back light is one of the most powerful lights to work with but it needs to be understood, adjusted and sometimes even tamed. It is aptly fitted for the title of “troublemaker” but also “knight in shining armor” – depending on how well we can work with it. Don’t be at the mercy of the light available to you. Work with backlight like a Pro and take your photography to the next level. Read more at https://myfoodlens.com
Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/ Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/53-backlight-when-to-use-avoid-it-in-food-photography/ | |||